Kentish Football 
Wer're not looking to build short-term, we're looking to the future, says Justin Luchford
Manager Justin Luchford is just happy that the friendlies are now consigned to history.
He said: “I think the players are glad that pre-season is now over as I think that they’re bored and have had enough and that they just want to get going.
“We’ve worked really hard and we look really fit – the sharpness is coming but the fitness is really good and I’m pleased with the way it’s gone.
“There have been times when we’ve tried to run before we can walk as in some people’s eyes as we’ve signed a few players who have made their name elsewhere.
“I’m happy with what’s going on. The lads are buzzing and they’re a good bunch which means the changing room is good and that’s important and we’re looking forward to getting going.”
Luchford is hoping for a much better season this time around, having seen the club finish in the bottom four last season.
He said: “This is our learning year – we need to be in the top ten and that’s the target and hopefully we’ll be there.
“We’ve had chairman past and present who are forward thinking and want to see the club going places and are sick to death of being in the bottom six.
“Give them some credit that they’re trying to attract some good players to the club, which has its own knock on effect, as a lot of the players at this level know each other. We want our players to have a club that’s run professionally and make it attractive to players and make them want to come and play for us because we do it the right way.
“And that’s down to me, that’s down to Richard Langley and my back room staff and that’s why I brought them to Whitstable because we want it run professionally.
“We’ve already seen in pre-season that all the players turn up at games in shirt and trousers every game. When I’ve looked at other sides that we’ve played turning up in what they want to wear. I think that’s a disgrace!”
Looking ahead to their start to their campaign, Luchford simply smiled and said: “We’ve got an easy start in the league – the first three games are against three of the favourites for the division!
“We got to Leatherhead on the opening day, then it’s Maidstone and Horsham at home!
“They’re tough fixtures but the great thing is that we’ll be underdogs in all three games.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s opening day trip to Leatherhead, Luchford said:
“Leatherhead are going to be very, very strong. They’ve attracted good players and they have got great support and great backing as well as a massive pitch.
“They’ve come down (from the Ryman Premier League), as have Horsham and I’m sure that both club’s will be looking to go straight back up.”
Whitstable Town’s first home game is the following Tuesday when title favourites Maidstone United visit Belmont Road.
Whitstable stunned the Stones with a home victory in exactly the same point of last season but Jay Saunders’ will be looking to get his side’s league campaign off to a flyer this term.
Luchford said: “We then face Maidstone, who many people have labelled as the League favourites and to be honest I feel a bit for Jay as he doesn’t deserve that as he’s trying to improve on the sixth or seventh that they finished last year and he’s built on that.
“I think it’s ridiculous that just because they’ve got a new ground people label them as favourites. I just don’t understand where some people come from – yes, they will have a good side – but let’s be honest if we don’t win it, nothing will give me greater pleasure than to see another Kent side win it!
“Having said that we’re all really looking forward to opening day – it’s a tough opening three league we’ve got a good bunch of lads and good people at the club who have trained to a level that we’ve asked of them and we’re now ready to get going!”
Luchford has a good squad of players available to him and the Belmont faithful are crying out for a vastly-improved campaign this season.
”We’ve had countless meetings; we’ve looked at the kids and we’ve looked at what we can bring forward.
“There are too many Whitstable lads who have left the club because they don’t like change, which I’m sorry if a fact of life. You’ve got to embrace change and I know for a fact that when you embrace change and get more and more people involved, you see the thing growing and that’s what we’re trying to do –it’s a long process! We’re not looking to build short term – we’re looking to the future!”
Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk
Leatherhead v Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 18th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9AS
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd